Rather than sticking the object of your photo right in the middle of the frame, using the rule of thirds you would divide your subject area into a 3×3 grid. Then, place the object of your photo at one of the points in which your grid lines intersect.

This practice allows you to capture more of the scenery and stage the photo in a way that is more visually pleasing and interesting to the eye.

5. Getting the best lighting/colors

Shooting in different light can be a struggle. Sometimes an indoor scene is super dim or an outside shoot is so bright it whitewashes your subject.

Ideally, you want whatever light source you’re working with to be at your back so that it doesn’t create a hotspot or bright light in your photograph or cause your camera’s meter to underexpose the picture, making it too dark.

The best way to avoid this? Test out your scene! Move around during your photoshoot and move your subject around as well until you find a spot where the light works in your favor.

If you’re shooting indoors, consider an external flash that you can set and replace based on your scene staging.

It’s okay to shoot way more images than you think you’ll need. Having a variety to edit in post-production is a lot better than missing out on the perfect photo!

6. Highlighting your product or service

At the end of the day, the reason you’re trying to capture a great image is to better sell your product or service.

So how can you stage your subject in a way that is appealing without being too obvious?

While you don’t want to simply set your product smack dab in the middle of your shot (see rule of thirds above!) you do want to remove any distracting elements that might take away from your message.

If you’re hosting your own photoshoot, you have the advantage of being able to control your background and your brand, so be sure to do so.

Don’t be afraid to get creative. Utilize an interesting depth of field to highlight product features or intricate elements that audience wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. Find unique ways to showcase what your product or service does for people by including models in your photos.

The possibilities are endless! Just make sure you stay on brand and on message.

7. How to make your photos look authentic (AKA not stocky)

The benefit of having the budget to take your own images or hire a photographer to do so is that you have full control over the images being captured.

You want to avoid making your images look like a stock photo anyone could download off the internet for a small fee.

The best way to avoid the stock look is to be authentic to your brand. Choose a background setting that actually makes sense for the product or service you’re marketing. Choose a model that best represents your target demographic. Test out different photography techniques to figure out which one suits your message the best.

Post-production

Your photo shoot is complete and now you have hundreds of photos to sift through. Here’s our top tip on choosing the right photo for your needs.

8. Choose something eye-catching

If you want your message to resonate with your audience (and we know you do if you’ve read this far) make sure to choose an engaging image that will stand out from the crowd.

Culling hundreds of photos can feel overwhelming — we recommend taking a quick pass through the photos, starring your favorites and then taking some time away from the screen. Come back later with a fresh eye to help narrow down your image choices.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Of course, in post-production, you can use all types of editing techniques to jazz up your photos even more. If you or someone on your team has design skills, consider using artsy edits or cool coloring effects to make your photo pop.

On the other hand, if you’re not a Photoshop wizard, you can use free and user-friendly photo editing tools like Canva to create fun graphics with your photos.

Rachel Pluck is a communications specialist for Jessica Lawlor & Company (JL&Co), focusing on content and digital marketing. She previously spent four years in the marketing world, working in-house at a tourism bureau before joining a full-service marketing agency and is currently the Digital Marketing Coordinator at Clark Associates Inc. In addition to her 9-to-5 responsibilities, Rachel is a photographer specializing in landscapes and family portraits.